Film Production at UBC's Vancouver campus | UBC Undergraduate Programs and Admissions

Develop your intellectual, creative, and technical skills as you prepare to embark on a professional career in the film industry. Your coursework will provide you with core disciplines and filmic knowledge as well as practical experience in filmmaking. BFA and diploma students produce and work on several films while in the program.

Why this program?

UBC is one of the oldest Film Production programs in Western Canada with a well-established alumni network.
Take classes in an intimate cohort of 20 students.
Take Production Design courses from the Theatre program, and Screenwriting courses from the Creative Writing program.

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Program information

Campus: Vancouver
Faculty: Faculty of Arts
Degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts

Length 4 yrs
Co-op Yes
You can combine your studies with full-time, paid work at top local and international organizations.
Honours No
You can study intense specialization in a single field.

Film production is a hands-on program where you learn by doing. Filmmaking is a creative, dynamic process requiring the cooperation and creative input of many people. Good filmmaking requires that those involved have a broad knowledge base. The goal of this program is to graduate creative, independent filmmakers with the skills, ideas, and initiative to shape the industry.

Not only will you learn in the classroom and through assignments, but you will learn from more senior students as they assist on student film sets outside of class. Directed studies credit is possible for students who complete internships.

Campus features

With the recent addition of the Film Collection, UBC’s Visual Resources Centre has total holdings of over 400,000 35mm photographic slides, videos, films, DVDs, and a growing database of 35,000 digital images.

NBC Studio: a convertible classroom space which features a green screen and lighting grid.

Editing rooms: computers have both Final Cut Pro and Premiere software for editing, as well as software for other aspects of post production.

Visual Resources Centre: total holdings of over 400,000 35mm photographic slides, videos, films, DVDs, and a growing database of 35,000 digital images.

Equipment room: grip, electric, sound and camera gear to support student projects.

Visual Resources Centre

FIST 100 - Introduction to Film Studies
Basic aesthetic, economic, sociological, and technological aspects of film.
VISA 110 - Foundation Studio: Digital Media
Foundation instruction in techniques and approaches to digital practice. The nature of digital technologies and their role in contemporary culture will be examined. (This course is open to all UBC students, regardless of prior experience.)
FIPR 101 - Introduction to the History of Film Production
The history of film and film production by decade with a strong emphasis on filmmakers and advances in production technology.
FIPR 133 - Introduction to Film and Media Production
A hands-on introduction to Film and Multi/New Media production, focusing on fundamental techniques for creating effective presentations.
FIPR 131 - Introduction to Screen Acting
Fundamental techniques used to create emotionally engaged and narratively effective performances for film and digital media.

FIPR 230 - Introduction to Motion Picture Directing
The role and methods of the motion picture director.
FIPR 233 - Film and Media Production I
Camera operation, lighting, sounds, and editing for film and media production.
FIPR 234 - Production Planning and Professional Practices
Planning of film productions from concept to completion.
CRWR 206 - Introduction to Writing for the Screen
Techniques of and practice in creating, developing, and writing a screenplay. Manuscript submission is not required for admission.

FIPR 330 - Intermediate Motion Picture Directing
FIPR 333 - Film and Media Production II
Intermediate film and media production. Open only to students in the Film Production BFA Program. Students who have not already completed FIPR 337, FIPR 338 must complete them at the same time as FIPR 333.
FIPR 338 - Motion Picture Sound
An introduction to the technique and aesthetics of creating production and post-production sound for film and media.
FIPR 339 - Post-Production Techniques I
Open only to students in the Film Production BFA Program.

FIPR 433 - Film and Media Production III
Advanced film and media production.
FIPR 434 - Producing for Film and Television
The creative and business aspects of producing for film and television.
FIPR 435 - Alternative Cinema Production
Experimental approaches to content, structure, technology and style in film and media production. Students who have not yet completed FIPR 233, 234, 337, 339, must complete them at the same time as FIPR 333.
FIPR 436 - Documentary Development and Production
Documentary concept development, essential production techniques, and marketing.
FIPR 437 - Cinematography II
Advanced camera operation, lighting, and shot design. Open only to students in the FILM BFA Program.

Life at UBC's Vancouver campus

Theatre at UBC is a renowned training program that has produced some of Canada’s most innovative artists and theatre practices for over 50 years. Our five programs are encouraged to mingle with regular social events with collective meals and complimentary tickets for all to opening nights. The organized student organization, DAFT (Design, Acting, Film, Theatre Council), organizes events and advocates for student concerns.

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Your future

You can work in film/tv/new media in any aspect of documentary or fiction filmmaking in a multitude of roles, including writer, director, cinematographer, producer, art director, sound designer, editor, or in arts administration.

Program graduates

Producer, The Good Fight
Cinematographer, There by Tyger’s
Director, Cybercraft Productions
Adjunct professor, UBC Theatre and Film

Program requirements

Canadian high schools
International high schools
International baccalaureate

English-language requirements

English is the language of instruction at UBC. All prospective students must demonstrate English-language competency prior to admission. There are numerous ways to meet the English Language Admission Standard.

General admission requirements

IB Diploma Programme

Completed IB Diploma, including at least three Higher Level courses.

IB Certificate Courses

IB Certificate courses (Standard and Higher Level) may be used in an admissions average if you are graduating from a recognized high school curriculum that can be used as your basis of admission.
IB Math Applications and Interpretations SL, or IB Math Studies, do not satisfy the math requirement for admission to UBC’s science-based programs, the Faculty of Management, the UBC Sauder School of Business, or the Vancouver School of Economics.

Degree-specific requirements: Fine Arts (direct-entry specializations only; excludes Creative Writing)

No specific courses required beyond those needed for general admission
Audition or portfolio

Related courses

The following subject categories are particularly relevant for this degree. Consider taking courses in these areas in your junior year and senior year.

Language Arts
Social Studies
Visual and Performing Arts